[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[cdnguys]

Not crazy about the stairs on bottom level, seems like an afterthought. Gulliver’s lookout apartments will have to go through a name change now that it will only have a view of a 6 story building.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Not crazy about the stairs on bottom level, seems like an afterthought. Gulliver’s lookout apartments will have to go through a name change now that it will only have a view of a 6 story building.

I think they're egress stairs, honestly. Not a fan myself but they don't look much like unit or secondary entrances.

[ColSJ]

The province is allocating $2.2 million dollars in the capital budget for land acquisition for a new K-8 school on the central peninsula.

[ColSJ]

To make it more convenient to see I'm blowing this up. I can't imagine the owner of Gulliver's lookout is very happy but I'm sure they knew with the momentum going on it was only a matter of time before something went up on this site. I'm curious if this is Cavanaugh doing this one or someone else. I'm okay with the design however I would prefer different colors.

[JHikka]

Would much prefer if it had pedestrian access from Crown instead of the side streets. Median spacing is too much.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

To make it more convenient to see I'm blowing this up. I can't imagine the owner of Gulliver's lookout is very happy but I'm sure they knew with the momentum going on it was only a matter of time before something went up on this site. I'm curious if this is Cavanaugh doing this one or someone else. I'm okay with the design however I would prefer different colors.

It has the same design elements of Atlantic such as window design, pillars, siding and top two floors a different colour even though Mike did not follow that colour scheme on Atlantic. I’m always surprised how fast construction using “blocks”. The view won’t be as desirable overlooking tracks, mud flats and fuel export terminal so maybe more affordable rents???

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Would much prefer if it had pedestrian access from Crown instead of the side streets. Median spacing is too much.

I'm sending a letter to PAC suggesting it get pulled out to the property line along Crown. All the other structures facing Crown between Duke and King E have 0 setback. It's currently set back 8-9 feet or so and I think reducing this to <1m is a reasonable ask.

I presume most pedestrians will be coming east down Princess and Leinster from uptown and very few will be heading due south, so it's hard to knock too hard. The east end of both these streets has been desolate my entire life.

What I'm interested in is seeing if someone snaps up 313 Princess, just uphill. I had inquired about it in like 2018 and the owner wanted $700,000!

Crown is south of Union is not much of an AT corridor... but I'm working on a project that should improve that.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I'm sending a letter to PAC suggesting it get pulled out to the property line along Crown. All the other structures facing Crown between Duke and King E have 0 setback. It's currently set back 8-9 feet or so and I think reducing this to <1m is a reasonable ask.

I presume most pedestrians will be coming east down Princess and Leinster from uptown and very few will be heading due south, so it's hard to knock too hard. The east end of both these streets has been desolate my entire life.

What I'm interested in is seeing if someone snaps up 313 Princess, just uphill. I had inquired about it in like 2018 and the owner wanted $700,000!

Crown is south of Union is not much of an AT corridor... but I'm working on a project that should improve that.

Does the documents you received in the mail state who is behind this project?

[bridgeoftea]

I like it better than an empty lot that's for sure. Hopefully it will get all the approvals and begun the construction as soon as it can.

I may be in the minority but I miss have a view of trains going by. Although I would say the smoke stacks isn't the best looking view.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Does the documents you received in the mail state who is behind this project?

Comeau MacKenzie are the architects, but that's it. Whoever bought the lot in April got a decent deal at $114,000.

Regarding the view, I have a similar one, and honestly it's a pretty cool industrial skyline, especially in blizzards or fog. Like living in Osgiliath almost. The trains are so far below Crown I doubt you could even see it from the fourth storey unless you look straight down. Technically this counts as an 'ocean view.'

[gtsoc]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

The province is allocating $2.2 million dollars in the capital budget for land acquisition for a new K-8 school on the central peninsula.

Moncton - land acquisition and design of school
Fredericton - land acquisition and design of school
Saint John - land acquisition and maybe you'll get a school by 2027.

Something wrong when all of the MLA's for this area are part of the government, and minister of some kind, and Saint John continually gets the shaft.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by gtsoc

Moncton - land acquisition and design of school
Fredericton - land acquisition and design of school
Saint John - land acquisition and maybe you'll get a school by 2027.

Something wrong when all of the MLA's for this area are part of the government, and minister of some kind, and Saint John continually gets the shaft.

It was first identified as a critical piece of investment for the future of the city back in the early 2000s during PlanSJ and a number of other initiatives. Basically it'll have been a "priority" for 20 years by the time it opens, which is ludicrously slow.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

It was first identified as a critical piece of investment for the future of the city back in the early 2000s during PlanSJ and a number of other initiatives. Basically it'll have been a "priority" for 20 years by the time it opens, which is ludicrously slow.

At least you will be getting a new high school in the city core rather than out near the county line (<cough>Moncton High School<cough>).

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

At least you will be getting a new high school in the city core rather than out near the county line (<cough>Moncton High School<cough>).

It's actually a new K-8 school to complement the two existing - and very good - high schools on the peninsula, but point well taken

Better to wait and get the location right than have the current urban schools close entirely (which would destroy the neighbourhood).

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

It's actually a new K-8 school to complement the two existing - and very good - high schools on the peninsula, but point well taken

Better to wait and get the location right than have the current urban schools close entirely (which would destroy the neighbourhood).

Minister of Education stated yesterday that they wanted to secure the land now due to current high prices in the uptown area and that prices will likely go up. Having the land in your back pocket allows you the flexibility to proceed to the construction phase when conditions are right

[ColSJ]

Heavy equipment are on site at 222 Water. A shame that the end result is demolition but keep in mind it has been structurally unsound for years now and any redevelopment project would cost millions just to get the structure back in place.

[KnoxfordGuy]

Is there a development in the works or are they just clearing the building for prospective buyers?

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

Is there a development in the works or are they just clearing the building for prospective buyers?

As far as I know they are just demolishing the building. Any future plans if any have not been made public.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

Is there a development in the works or are they just clearing the building for prospective buyers?

Haven’t heard or seen anything planned yet. This website: https://sjcommercialre.com/for-sale/222-water/ has renders but they are just concepts of what could of potentially have been done with the building. Hopefully we will see a new development soon.

[bridgeoftea]

Hopefully something comes of 222 Water after the demolition! If we get cruise ships back next year, it would not be a great look with an big empty hole in the ground right as the get off, with no work being done.
The one render with the restaurant idea at the top of it would be awesome.
Fingers crossed in 5 years 222 Water, Fundy Quay and the King Street will have had some development done to them.